"For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV
This used to be one of my favorite verses and it had slipped from my mind until I started a new Bible study about 4 weeks ago. When I read it again, I had an "Aha!" moment. How did this get away from me? About 8/9 years ago, when I had a job I really disliked, this verse kept me going daily for about 9 months. I stayed at the job because the hours and the pay were great, and hindsight showed me how God used that time to draw me closer to Him. Most days it was only God and the radio that gave me any semblance of kindness/friendliness/common courtesy. I needed that connection, that scripture, to remind me that in Christ I was strong, loving and wise.
It's time for it again. What about you? I believe the Bible is the active living Word of God. I believe it is His truth to us His children. So, God did NOT give me a Spirit of Fear. This world and the evil in it has created the fear. It is insidious. It has wormed it's way into my heart and I am tired of it. I am created in God's image. He crafted me in my mother's womb. He knows every hair on my head. God gave me power, love and a sound mind. I want to step forth into each day with a passion for life and all it holds. I want to love God and the people I interact with each day using what God has supplied me with. You need to read that again. Under my own power--I will fail. Under my own power, I will get tired, discouraged, frustrated and be less than loving. Abiding in Him, connected, believing that He is my source AND acting as if He is my source will lead to me living the powerful, loving, and wise life that He created me for. Join me!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
Without Fear
“ Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, And whose hope is the LORD.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit."
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV
Given our current temperatures, this scripture seemed appropriate. We know what it feels like when the heat saps our strength, and we sweat, our cheeks pink, our throats parched. We reach for the coolness of ice water and press the glass to our faces, necks and then we drink it down. The water refreshes and cools us. It perks up our wilted selves and we continue mowing the grass or trimming the hedges or watering the tomatoes.
This scripture tells us that when we trust in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, we are refreshed spiritually with his presence, his strength, and we need not fear what the heat does or how high the temperatures climb. Our daily challenges are no match for our source. When we are rooted in the Lord like this or put another way: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NKJV Then we bloom and grow, producing the fruit of our trust, our hope in the Lord.
For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river,
And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green,
And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit."
Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV
Given our current temperatures, this scripture seemed appropriate. We know what it feels like when the heat saps our strength, and we sweat, our cheeks pink, our throats parched. We reach for the coolness of ice water and press the glass to our faces, necks and then we drink it down. The water refreshes and cools us. It perks up our wilted selves and we continue mowing the grass or trimming the hedges or watering the tomatoes.
This scripture tells us that when we trust in God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, we are refreshed spiritually with his presence, his strength, and we need not fear what the heat does or how high the temperatures climb. Our daily challenges are no match for our source. When we are rooted in the Lord like this or put another way: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." John 15:5 NKJV Then we bloom and grow, producing the fruit of our trust, our hope in the Lord.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)